The Maryland House of Delegates on Thursday approved a bill that increases the maximum penalty for using a cell phone while driving to $500, though it was unclear how frequently such large a fine would actually be issued. The legislation repeals a tiered fine system under which maximum fines are $75, $125 and $175 for first, second and third offenses, respectively. (Balt. Sun)

No decisions made yet on who will serve out the rest of Sen. Norman's term

Local and state Republican leaders recalled Wednesday a tense period of about 30 hours as they scrambled to find someone to put on the primary election ballot after the sudden death Sunday of incumbent state Sen. Wayne Norman. “It just ripped us all apart,” Chad Shrodes, a Harford County councilman and member of the Republican Central Committee of Harford County, said during a during a joint special meeting of the Republican Central committees of Harford and Cecil counties. (Aegis)

A federal judge rejected a motion by defense lawyers for Maryland state Sen. Nathaniel T. Oaks to subpoena four witnesses – including two FBI undercover sources – to testify at a March 16 motions hearing in the lawmaker’s public corruption case. At the same time, U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett denied a motion by prosecutors to unseal memoranda supporting those subpoenas that had been filed by Oaks’ federal public defenders. (Md. Matters)

Spurred in part by the recent emergency shutdown of Baltimore’s subway, the House of Delegates approved legislation Thursday that would provide increased funding for the Maryland Transit Administration while requiring the agency to develop a long-term vision for the Baltimore region. The House voted 98-40 to pass the bill, which also includes funding for the Washington region’s transit agency. All the opponents were Republicans, mostly from rural or outer suburban areas. (Balt. Sun)

Maryland Gov. Hogan asks Congress to 'step up' on opioid funding

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan told a Senate committee Thursday that the federal government needs to increase funding and tighten international shipping requirements to help stem the opioid epidemic sweeping the nation. Testifying before Congress for the first time, the Republican governor made an impassioned plea for additional funding — arguing in written testimony that the money included in a sweeping federal health bill approved in 2016 was “clearly not enough” to address the problem. (Balt. Sun)

Several candidates found ineligible for Montgomery County’s public campaign financing system

A provision in Montgomery County’s new public campaign financing system has caused several at-large County Council candidates to be ruled ineligible to receive matching county funds based on the small-dollar contributions they’ve received. It’s known colloquially by state Board of Elections and county officials overseeing the system as the “one bite at the apple rule” and means that candidates only get one opportunity to submit enough certified contributions to meet the legal thresholds for receiving public matching funds. (Bethesda)

Frederick County ethics bill closer to becoming law

A bill expanding Frederick County ethics rules appears poised to become law. The House unanimously approved House Bill 630 on Thursday. The bill would extend prohibitions on county-level donations over $100 from developers with pending land-use and zoning change applications to lawyers, architects, engineers and traffic consultants working with those developers. It also requires members of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Ethics Commission, liquor board and Planning Commission to step down within 48 hours of filing as a candidate. (News-Post)

Bill expanded to exempt all Maryland jails from medical marijuana program

As expected, the Maryland Senate acted Thursday to expand a bill that exempts the Washington County Detention Center from the state's new medical marijuana program, so it applies to local jails throughout the state. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Thomas "Mac" Middleton, D-Charles, proposed an amendment that struck language that would have limited the bill to Washington and Anne Arundel counties. The Senate approved the change, and the bill now is being prepared for a final Senate vote. (Herald-Mail)